Hinge



June 25, 1940.

C. CoL cl HINGE Filed May 15 8 In ..,.,MHI' III INVENTOR Char/z 5011M. BY

A NEY Patented June 25, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ripplifa tzr hli y zz igzf 8:31 1:; :il8,138

7Claims. (01. 161-153) This invention relates to hinges, and particularly to improvements inv pin hinges having cam characteristics wherein the moving leaf has a rise or fall while rotating, and may obtain a sustained rise or fall through 180 degrees of swing.

While hinges embodying cam features have been heretofore proposed, it has been principally V for gravityacting hinges capable ofshort swings.

. and utilizing the cam action as a means of returning the active leaves and the door or the like they generally supported to closed position. Some of these hinges by utilizing loose expensive cam parts were capable of permitting short swings right or left. However, for wide swings it was I necessary to usea difi'erent hinge for a right swing than for a left swing. Moreover, only in exceptional cases and then only with a single acting hinge having loose cam parts that had to be 'repositioned and maintained in position by auxiliary v2i parts requiring close fitting and which were readhas considerable clearance when swinglngrelativo to the face of the floor. In order to close the i frame opening when the door isin'closed posi- 35 tion a saddle board is secured to the floor just under the door.

of tripping and other inconvenience inthe home.

They are also an unsightly encumbrance between rooms connected by French doors. 'lllioreoven' do some clearance is also necessary betweenthe lower end of the, door and the face of the saddle".

board and when this is considerable, air-drafts may result. Insofar as I am aware, no-pin hinge has heretofore been provided making possible the 45 elimination of saddle boards and their undesirable features, yet that is capable of providing the door with operating clearances equivalent to those heretofore obtained by the use of a saddle hoard and which hinge could also be used as a plain 50 hinge in a saddle board construction when re- It is the purpose of the present invention to provide a cam type hinge of simple construction which may, by a simple adjustment and with the, i5 same pair of leaves be operated as a left, right,

Such saddle boards are a source or neutral hinge, which 1 term for convenience -auniversal hinge. It also aims to overcome the aforesaid difliculties of prior art hinges and to be applicable to any character of operation now performed by a cam or an ordinary hinge. It also 5 makes possible the elimination of door saddle boards and the like. It requires stocking of only a single type hinge by the dealer. Its parts are all intact and no mechanic is needed for their application or adjustment from one'use to an- 10 other. Moreover the. character of operation may be altered without removing the hinge leaves.

. Further objects of the invention are the provision of a cam type pin hinge of universal operation wherein all the cam faces are part of the knuckles fixed to theleaves; the provision of a universal type cam hinge that may be adjusted for the desired operation without the handling of many loose parts; the provision of a cam type hinge which may by the inclusion of a loose 001- lar be operated in one direction as a self raising or lowering hinge and in the other as a neutral hinge; the provision of a gravity cam hinge operableleit or right and convertible to a neutral hinge by the use of a loose collar interposed bet'ween certain hinge knuckles; and the provision of a cam hinge capable of producing a continuous rise or fall through an operation of 180 degrees.

Moreover it is an object of my invention to provide a simple cover for hinges particularly cam hinges comprising a U shaped member of sheet material held in place by resilient end straps secured to the hinge pintle and permitting motion of the cover piece in response to movement of the 1W .1 XES'VQ.

'Ihese and-other objects of the invention relating to the improved hinge and cover member, the

construction, combinations of elements and arrangement ofparts as may be within the spirit of the invention are therefore contemplated.

In the drawing wherein similar parts are desig-- nated by similar numerals Fig. 1 is a plan view of the hinge of my invention in open position and adjusted to operate as a neutral hinge 55,

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken at 2-4 of Fig. 1 V

Fig. 3 is a side elevation'of the hingeof Fig. 1 in closed position and adjusted to operate as a left cam hinge, the superposed leaf being shown in its lowermost position.

Fig. 4 is an edge elevation of the closed hinge of Fig. 3.looking in the direction of arrows 4-4 of Fig. 3

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the hinge of Fig. 1 in closed position and adjusted to operate as a rightv cam hinge, the superposed leaf being shown inits-lowermost pontion.

Fig. 6 is an edge elevation of the closed hinge of Fig. 5 looking in the direction of arrows 6-6 of Fig. 5 and showing a cover member partly in cross-section Fig. 'l is an end view of the pintle of the'hinge of Fig. 6 showing the manner of holding thecover member inplace, and

Fig. 8 is a modiil tion of Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawing, l6 and I2 are cooperating leaves of a hinge constructed in accordance with the principles of my invention, and conn'ected through the axis of a plurality of knuckles by a bolt or pintle ll. Generally a plurality ofi such hinges are used to support a swinging door" or the like. One leaf of eachhinge being on the door and the other on the stationary frame.

Manifestly to obtain a cam effect it is essential, either leaf being considered stationary, that the moving leaf obtain a rising as well'as swinging tion of the pifitle construcmotion in going from the closed position to the maximum open position. By the closed position is meant that positionof the moving leaf at the bottom of its rise. Where a swing of 180 degrees is required'such as withthe. ordinary door a sustained rise through the entire swingcould be 40 expected I have discovered that a right and left cam operation each capable of the desired 180 degree swing'may be obtained in a single hinge in a simple and practical manner. To accomplish this result I provide two'pairs of cooperating cam surfaces, one pair of which functions at any given time. Moreover one cam surface of a pair is i as the follower.

always on one leaf and the second is on the other leaf, and that upon the stationaryleaf serves as the cam while that upon themovable leaf serves 7 Thus in the embodiment illustrated in the drawing I provide upon the leaf II a laterally projecting hinge knuckle l|,'and upon the leaf l2 the laterally projecting hinge knuckles N and 2| which in the assembledrelation straddle the knuckle It The knuckle H has opp site-axial" end faces sloping withrespect to the hinge axis. Thelower face of the knuckle fl and the upper face of the knuckle 2| are similarly sloped. In the ,drawing these faces are shown as slabbetf off to-form substantially flat surfaces. These surfaces provide thecam surfaces referred to above, r

. the lower surface of the knuckle II and the upper of knuckle 2| providing one cooperating pair and ifigother two surfaces the second cooperating g It will be noted that the sloping faces are cut normal (Figs. 2, 4 and 6) to the edge plane of the leaves, producing a cloud position when the leaves abut. However, I desire it understood that the angle between the plane of the sloping faces and'the edge plane of the leaves may be varied to shift the closed position. Moreover, it will be understood that the slope of the cam surfaces closing or operating by action of gravity when released from its 'high cam point a sharp slope of greater than about 45 degrees is preferred for the cam faces, although an angle of 45 degrees somewhat as shown in the drawing will be efiective.

, In Figs. 3 and 4, the leaves are shown in closed position, with the cooperating sloping faces of knuckles l6 and 20 in full abutment (zero rise). Considering the leaf l2 the stationary or door casing leaf, the leaf I! or door leaf executes a left swing in opening and simultaneously executes arising movement. In the rising motion the outer portion ofthe sloping face of the knuckle 20 cams with the outer portion of the adjacent sloping face of knuckle l6 and these form the cam surfaces; the lower one serving as the cam and the upper. as the camifollower. The

length of the cam surface will obviously be dependent upon the amount of swing; generally it will not exceed 180 degrees but it will be understood that it may be greater. In the drawing a swing of 180 degrees is shown. It will also be understood that .whfle I have illustrated the cam surface as a flat plane it may be in the form of a spiral for instance having a flat top (like a spiral stair case) or other surface depending upon the amount of contact desired. More- I over the slope may be altered, for instance at the ends to provide a rest when thehinge acts as a gravity hinge.

It will 'be observed that if the hinge inthe position of Fig. 3 be inverted the same cam surfaces will cooperate when this time the leaf Ill is considered stationary and the leaf I 2 movable and executing a left swing and rise. The cam surface of knuckle l6 now serves as the cam and that of the knuckle 2| as the follower- In Figs. 5 and 6 the leavesare also shown in closed position and set for a right swing. Herein Fig. 5. the leaf N is the rear leaf and the hinge axis is to the right of the hinge leaves. In moving the leaves into this position, the coopcrating; sloping faces of the knuckles l6 and l| here shown in abutment provide the cam action. Thus considering the leaf l| again as-the stationary leaf, the leaf l2 executes a right" swing in opening together with a rising movement. In this instance it is the inner portion of the slop- -ing face of the knuckle ll, serving asthe cam follower, that cams with the inner portion of the sloping face of' ;the knuckle l6, acting as the cam which provides the cam surfaces.

,. If the-hinge in the position shown in Fig. 5-be inverted it will be noted that the same cam surfaces will cooperate when the leaf I2 is considered stationary and the leaf N movable and executing a right swing and rise.

Thus the described combination of cooperat-','

,ing cam surfaces when provided in the same hinge willenable its use as a cam hinge providing a swinging leaf having a simultaneous rise and capable 01 100 degree swing either right or leftf-It is tobe obser ed that while the cam surfaces in the drawing have a certain direction of slope, similar .to that of a right hand thread, looking at Figs. 4 and 8, the respective cam surfaces may be oppositely sloped (left) with equal effect such merely altering (with the leaves in the drawing) the respective stationary and moving relat'ion.

It is also to be observed that whether right or left the relation of the knuckles I8, I! and 2| in the open position of the hinge is shown in ating right) plus the vertical thickness of the knuckle l6. 1

A further feature of my invention is the additional ability of my hinge to operate as an ordinary or neutral hinge of no cam action. Thus I provide twoadditional knuckles 22 and 2i to cooperate with the knuckles l5, l8 and 20. The knuckle 24 is at the end of leaf l2 and has its inner or operating face cut square with the hinge .axis to provide a full bearing face in operation of the hinge. The outer face of this knuckle is also cut square to provide a stop shoulder for the head- 26 of the pintle l4. Similarly knuckle [8 has its other axial face cut square to provide an operatingbearing face and the axial distance between this face and the operating face of also be seen in Figs. 1 and 2.

knuckle 24 is the sum of the right and left cam rises plus the axial height of knuckle 22.. The knuckle 22 is on the leaf l0. Its opposite faces are cut square with the hinge axis and it is distant from its companion knuckle I. a distance measured along a parallel to the hinge axis when the hinge is in closed position, equal to the sum of the right and left cam rises plus the vertical height or thickness of knuckle II on the line where the measurement is taken.

In addition to the knuckles 22 and 24 I'provide a loose collar which together with them efiects the neutral operation. In Figs. 3 and 4 a. loose collar 28 is shown between knuckles 22 and 24. The thickness of this collar is equal to the right cam rise. It will be noted that in the indicated position this collar does not interfere with the left cam action of the hinge. However, if the hinge leaf I0 is made stationary instead of the leaf l2, the knuckle 24 bears against the collar 28 and the hinge operates as an ordinary or neutral hinge. This relation may be seen in Figs. 1 and 2.

In Figs. 5 and 6 a loose collar 30 is shown be- 1 tween knuckles I8 and 22. The thickness of this collar is equal to the right cam rise. The collar does not interfere with the right cam action of the hinge. 'However if the leaf I2 is made-stationary instead of leaf It, the knuckle 22 bears against the collar 30 and the hinge operates as an ordinary or neutralhinge. This relation may Thus it will be evident that a neutral action hinge to operate either left or'right may be obtained by the additional two cooperating knuckles and a loose collar. It will be understood that when the left and right cam rises are the same which will except for rare instances be the case,

the collars 28 and will have the same thickness and therefore a single collar willsuflice, it being merely necessary to shift the collar to the proper position. This means that there are nospouses loose pieces to be stored elsewhere if the hinge is-to be used in one form or another. Therefore all operating parts are always together and a hinge used today as a cam hinge may be'used tomorrow as an ordinary hinge. Of course the extra collar may be used if desired but can only be assembled when operating the hinge neutral. At other times the extra collar may if desired be assembled under the nut 32 which is in threaded relation with the pintle l4 and may be unwound in placing the collar or disassembling thehinge. The lower face of knuckle 20 is cut square with the hinge axis to make a good facing for the nut 32. The nut 32 may if desired be pinned to prevent unwinding.

The leaves of the hinge may be made of any suitable metal for instance brass, bronze or steel.

They may be castwith the knuckles intact, the cam faces and other essential finished faces being properly machined and the knuckles bored out along the hinge axis to receive the pintle ll. Preferably, the leaves together with their integral knuckles are developed out of flat sheet metal; the knuckle portions being properly developed in the flat form and then bent around a forming pin of similar diameter to the pintle l4.

"The leaves are provided with suitable drilled .or punched and countersunk holes for mounting the hinges with flat head screws. The countersunk sides are on the inside faces of the closed hinge. It will be noted from Fig. 2 that in forming the hinge the countersunk face of each leaf is in line with the hinge axis. It will also be observed from Fig. 8 that one end of the pintle instead of being threaded and having a loose nut 32 may have a stub 'head 55, the shank of which is tight in knuckle 20. The remainder of the pintle is a removable pin 56 having a head similar to that of 26 of Fig. 2. Obviously the pintle may be a straight pin having no end heads.

Another feature of my invention is the provision of a cooperating cover or shield that masks the operating parts when the hinge is assembled with respect to a door and frame and which shifts slightly in response to movement of the leaves, moving away when the leaves open up and returning with them when they close.

This structure is shown imposition over a closed hingein Figs. 5 and '7. The cover comprises a U shaped, preferably sheet metal member 36 substantially coextensive with the knuckle portions of the leaves. The inner radius of the curved portion I8 .is slightly larger than that of the knuckles to provide operating clearance. The sides 40 and 52 extend beyond the hinge axis 'a suitable amount to mask as much of the knuckle portions of the hinge as operably possible. Thus in Fig. 5 they extend almost to the edge 44 of the hinge leaves. At the opposite ends the side portions of the cover are shaped to form the ears 46. The ears 46, have holes 48, and these holes open into the end edges of the ears 46 by slits or slots 80.

y In order to mount the cover piece, I provide at each end a resilient member 52 for instance a tension coil spring of small. outside diameter the ends of which are connected to the holes 48 of the opposite ears $6. In assembly these resilient leaves open the side faces of the hinge leaves 7 come in contact with the edges ll of the cover,-

and the cover is pushed outwardly. The resilient springs 52 respond to this movement by extending. When the hinge is again closed the springs contract and return the cover to normal position.

From a consideration of the foregoing description of the embodiments of my invention it will be evident that I have made a new and novel hinge providing in a 'single unit a right and left cam action of considerable extent and a single hinge having these features as well as that of operating neutral thus making a universal hinge.-

Moreover I have provided a simple and novel cover member to cooperate with my hinge to cover the operating parts and provide a neat and effective appearance when installed. My hinge and cover member are further'easily assembled and installed together." It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and 'modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of my invention. I therefore desire to secure to myself all modifications and equivalent constructions falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the foregoing description, and I desire that the invent-ion be construed to cover all equivalents and as broadly as the claims taken in conjunction with the prior art may allow.

' on the other leaf; the distance between said pair of spaced apart knuckles measured along a parallel to the hinge axis being substantially twice the earn rise of one set of cooperating cam surfaces plus the width of said intermediate knuckle.

2. A hinge adapted ,to operate as a right or left cam hinge comprising a pair of leaves provided with knuckles joinedby a pintle, a pair of said knuckles spaced apart .on' one leaf, the nearest end faces thereof having inclined camsurfaces, a third-knuckle on the other leaf between said spaced pair having its opposite end faces presenting inclined cam surfaces and a fourth knuckle on said other leaf, said fourth knuckle spaced from said third knuckle a distance to allow for one of said pair of knuckles, for the cam action thereof and for the cam action ofthe other of said pair of knuckles.

1 3. A universal hinge comprising a pair of leaves provided with knuckles joined by a pintle,

a pair of said knuckles spaced apart on one leaf, the nearest end faces thereof having inclined cam surfaces, a third knuckle on the second leaf between said pair of.-knuck'le s having its opposite end faces g inclined cam surfaces, a fourth knuckle on said first leaf W from one of said pair of knuckles, and a fifth knuckle fourth knuckle.

on said second leaf between said fourth knuckle and said pair of knuckles and a spacer adjacent said fifth lmuckle, said fourth knuckle being distant from the nearest of said pair of knuckles to allow for thewidth of said fifth knuckle, the width of said spacer and the cam rise of one of said pair of knuckles.

4. A universal hinge comprising a pair of leaves provided with knuckles joined by a pintle, a pair of knuckles on one leaf, the nearest end faces thereof having inclined cam surfaces, a third v knuckle on the second leaf positioned between said pair of knuckles and having its opposite end faces presenting inclined cam surfaces and a fourth knuckle on said second leaf spaced from said third knuckle ,to allow for, one of said pair of knuckles of the first leaf, the cam movement-of said knuckle and for a spacer.

b. A universal hinge comprising a pair of leaves provided with knuckles joined by a pintle, a pair of said knuckles spaced apart on one leaf, the

nearest end faces thereof having inclined cam surfaces, a third knuckle on the second leaf between said pair of knuckles having its opposite end faces presenting inclined cam surfaces, a fourth knuckle on saidfirst leaf and spaced from said pair of knuckles and a fifth knuckle on said second leaf between said fourth knuckle and said pair of knuckles and a spacer adjacent said fifth knuckle and between said fourth knuckle and the nearest of said pair of knuckles.

6. A universal hinge comprising a pair of leaves provided with knuckles joined by a pintle, a pair of said knuckles spaced apart on one leaf, the nearest end faces thereof having inclined cam surfaces and the furthest end faces being substantially square with the hinge axis, a third knuckle on the second leaf between said pair of knuckles having its opposite end faces presenting inclined cam surfaces, a fourth knuckle on said first leaf and spaced from said pair of knuckles and a fifth knuckle on said second leaf leaves, saidleaves provided with knuckles joined by a pintle, a pair of said knuckles spaced apart on one leaf, the nearest end faces thereof having inclined cam surfaces, a third knuckle on said second leaf, between said pair of knuckles, having its opposite end faces withinclined cam surfaces adapted to cooperate with the nearest cam sur' faces respectively of said spaced knuckles, when cumming, alfourth knuckle on said second leaf spacedfrom the nearestof said pair of knuckles the cam rise of one pair of said cooperating cam surfaces when said surfaces "are at the top of the cam rise, a fifth knuckle on said first leafspaced from said fourth knuckle the cam rise of the other of said cooperating cam surfaces and a spacer filling one of said spaces adjacent said CHARLES COLUCCI. 

